Crime Alert - Keeping Your Home Safe from Burglary – Important Advice for HMO Residents

Crime Alert - Keeping Your Home Safe from Burglary – Important Advice for HMO Residents

Keeping Your Home Safe from Burglary – Important Advice for HMO Residents

Dear Residents,

We would like to remind everyone living in the property of the importance of taking simple steps to help prevent burglaries and keep yourselves, your belongings and other residents safe.

As an HMO is a shared property, the security of the building depends on everyone taking responsibility. Please follow the advice below:

Keep communal doors secure
Please make sure external and communal doors are properly closed and locked behind you. Do not wedge doors open, even for a short period of time.

Do not allow unknown people into the property
Please do not let strangers into the building. If someone says they are visiting another resident, ask them to contact that person directly rather than allowing them access yourself.

Keep your bedroom secure
Always lock your bedroom door when you leave, even if you are only going out for a short time. Keep valuable items such as phones, laptops, jewellery and cash out of sight and, where possible, stored securely.

Look after your keys
Do not lend your keys to people you do not know or leave them where others can access them. If you lose your keys, please report this to your landlord or property manager immediately.

Secure windows and doors
Please make sure windows are closed and locked whenever you leave the property, particularly windows that are easily accessible from outside.

Be careful when using social media
Avoid publicly sharing information that indicates you are away from home for an extended period. Also consider avoiding posts that display expensive possessions.

Look out for unusual activity
If you notice someone you do not recognise repeatedly entering the property, suspicious behaviour around the building, damage to locks or doors, or any other security concerns, please report this promptly to the landlord or property manager.

Do not put yourself at risk
If you believe someone is attempting to enter the property or you see a suspected burglar, do not confront them. Your personal safety should always come first. Contact the police where appropriate.

Report repairs and security concerns
Please report broken locks, faulty doors, damaged windows, inadequate lighting or any other security problems as soon as possible. Do not assume that somebody else will report them.

Protect your belongings
Consider taking out suitable contents insurance and check that your policy covers you while living in an HMO. It is also advisable to keep photographs and serial numbers of valuable belongings in case they are lost or stolen.

Finally, please remember that keeping the property secure is a shared responsibility. Small actions such as locking doors, protecting keys and being aware of who is entering the building can make a significant difference to everyone’s safety.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping to keep the property safe and secure for all residents.

To assist us in identifying stolen property please consider property marking high value items using Forensic Marking or UV pens.  You are also advised to register property at www.immobilise.com which is a free on-line property register used by police forces nationwide to reunite stolen goods to their owners. All you have to do is register on-line and then upload properties electrical items serial numbers.

If you have a burglar alarm ensure it is set and working.

Please also find attached the Police Crime Prevention Handbook which covers a broad range of crime prevention advice.

Thank you

Humberside Police

To find out more about your local policing team including who your officers are, updates on policing priorities and details of meetings and events please visit https://www.police.uk.